The Mankato MoonDogs rallied late, but came up just short as they fell 7-6 in the series opener in Thunder Bay.

The MoonDogs jumped out to a 5-0 run, highlighted by an RBI single by Brinn Bell in the first. Brett Synek scored on a passed ball and Tyler Sullivan roped a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 3-0. Synek then capped the early lead with a two-run home run in the top of the fourth.

However, the Border Cats picked up runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth before exploding for a four run home half of the eighth. To take a 7-5 lead into the ninth.

Peter Maris plated Eric Schenck-Jablinski with an RBI single in the ninth, but the MoonDogs only mustered one in the ninth and fell 7-6.

Ben Allison earned the win in relief while Den McElmore picked up the save. Austin Warner got the loss for the MoonDogs.

The MoonDogs and Border Cats are back at it tomorrow night at 6:05 to wrap up a two-game set at Port Arthur Stadium.